Thought For The Day – Wednesday 28^th February 2024

As previously mentioned, and studied in Citizenship lessons, February has been LGBT+ History Month, as it is every year.

The reason LGBT+ history month is in February in the United Kingdom is it marks the abolition of Section 28, now twenty-one years ago, which was a law which forbade the promotion of the LGBT+ community.

Why are all awareness days and months important?  To redress the balance, and to correct the imbalance and injustice of the past and still, in some areas, the present, and to encourage good thoughts, words and actions in the present and the future. 

In truth, every day is an awareness day. For everyone and everything, everywhere.

We move. As one.  With, and for, all.

The theme of LGBT+ history month in 2024 celebrates, and greatly respects, the contribution of the LGBT+ community to the vital professions of healthcare and medicine.  The themed is titled “Under The Microscope”. This theme also seeks to highlight the history of the LGBT+ community’s experience with receiving healthcare, and health inequalities the LGBT+ community have faced, and still face, around the world.

The LGBT+ community is our community. We are the LGBT+ community.

We think very carefully about our words, our actions and our allyship and show compassion, empathy and love, treating others as we wish ourselves to be treated.  We stand up for others, for right and support the vulnerable.

We should never, ever speak or act negatively regarding someone’s  identity.

Everyone is precious.   Everyone is valued and valuable. Everyone has a story to tell, a voice to be heard, a positive contribution to make. 

We love and respect, so that everyone is loved and respected.  

And if we are going through a very challenging time, we reach out, knowing there is always support and, in time,  knowing our challenges will help others in the future, just as we are supported in the present.

And if we see anyone else going through a challenging time, we help them, as we would wish to be helped ourselves.

Equality is universal. Always do you. Always be you.

For life is for everyone. A report from “Sky Sports News” yesterday, including Joe Root’s example of LGBT+ allyship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZKAZedb0n8.